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Strip Sir Geoff Hurst of his knighthood now. The 71-year-old was the star of England’s World Cup final win, scoring three goals in the 4-2 victory over West Germany that made England global champions in 1966, but even hat-trick heroes have off nights.

Hurst helped to conduct the draw last night for the next World Cup, in Brazil next year. He might well have finished his stint on stage at Costa do Sauipe by booking Roy Hodgson’s squad a flight on the first plane home next June.